Arrangement for mounting sinkers in a circular knitting machine

ABSTRACT

A sinker arrangement comprising an annular support ring located within the cylinder, having means for holding the sinkers in radially spaced relationship and means for sliding the sinkers in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the axis of cylinder rotation.

Unite States atant 1191 W111 111] 3,815,382 June 11, 1974 ARRANGEMENT FOR MOUNTING [5 6] References Cited SINKERS IN A CIRCULAR KNITTING UNITED STATES PATENTS MACHINE 2,966,782 1/1961 Deiss et a1 66/108 R Inventor: Ravel Uhlir Trebigxczechoslovakia Crawford n 73 Assignee: ELITEX, Zavody textilniho FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS strojirenstvi, generalni reditelstvi, 1,931,970 1/1970 Germany 66/14 Liberec, Czechoslovakia 647,402 l0/l962 Italy 66/14 [22] Filed: 1971- Primary Exar nine'rW. C. Reynolds [21] Appl, No.1 201,283 Assistant Examiner-A. M. Falik Attorney, Agent, or Firm'Murray Schaffer 30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Nov. 30. I970 Czechoslovakia 8043-70 A sinker arrangement comprising an annular pp I ring located within the cylinder, having means for {2%} (SI. 66]/)1(:ib6t;)g holding Sinkers in radially Spaced relationship and i 108 A 104 means for sliding the sinkers in a horizontal plane perl 0 1 6 pendicular to tho axis of cylinder rotation.

, '7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures a a 1 a 4 z I 4 v 2 4% 1 /5a 3 L a /2a \7 J 2 7 L l9 229 V 6 7 I w 1 29 '71 2/6) g 20 2 4/ r I 279 PATENTEDJUN 1 1 I974 SBEHIBFZ.

PFNEL UMLIR INVENTOR amen 3,81 minnow 8mm 2 5 3 2 WWEL UHLlR INVENTOR BY-mwi g ATTORN'EY ARRANGEMENT FOR MOUNTING SINKERS IN A CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to circular knitting machines and in particular, to an arrangement for mounting and guiding the sinkers thereof.

The present application has particular adaptability with primary sinkers, auxiliary sinkers, and similarly radial guided elements in cylindrical knitting machines, especially double cylinder machines, where both the primary sinkers, (in the lower cylinder) and the auxiliary sinkers (in the upper cylinder) cooperate with the needles. In the double cylinder machine, the primary sinkers function to knock over the knitted loop courses from the needles, as the needles are lifted, thus preventing the picking of the finished loop by the needles. Accordingly, it is necessary to mount the primary sinkers so that they can be transversely moved, during rotation of the needle cylinder, to a position inside of the cylinder. The auxiliary sinkers function to prevent the excessive lifting of a knitted loop course at the termination of the needle lifting and to further cooperate with the needle in the upper needle cylinder to form the loop. For these functions it is not ncecessary to move the auxiliary sinkers into the needle-cylinder. On the other hand, the auxiliary sinkers have other functions, such as the gripping of added yarns forming long or plush sinker loops, which require their movement. For this, the auxiliary sinkers must be specially mounted to provide a sufficiently large space for the passage of the knitted work through the cylinder and for the location of the additional patterning devices.

In conventional double cylinder machines both the primary sinkers and the auxiliary sinkers are both mounted inside the body of needle cylinders themselves, (i.e., within the inner and outer spaced walls) and their operative movement takes place about an arcuate path in a plane parallel to the vertical axis of rotation. This achieves a long drag-in of the sinkers and allows sufficiently large space for the withdrawal of the knitted material since the sinkers are not located within the central opening of the cylinder. This arrangement, however, has the disadvantage that the operating or control butts of the sinker elements also move about the arcuate path in the same vertical plane engaging the functional or curved edge of the stationary cams which impart the operational movement to the sinker. The arrangement is consequently quite complex and not easily adjustable since the cams are fixedly mounted within the walls of the cylinder. The functional cam edges cannot be modified or even eliminated without great difficulty and thus the working stroke of the sinker remains more or less fixed.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for mounting the sinkers of a double cylinder knitting machine which overcome the disadvanthe primary or auxiliarysinkers so that they may be adjustable and capable of being functionally placed into and out of use.

These objects, others and numerous advantages will SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the present invention the sinkers of a double cylinder knitting machine are mounted in an arrangement comprising a sinker ring formed of a pair of spaced annular members interconnected by a plurality of radially extending ribs. The ribs are uniformly spaced about the ring, the spaces between adjacent ribs forming generally horizontal grooves in which the sinkers are located. An annular opening is formed between the inner edge of the outer annular member and the outer edge of the inner annular member into which the selecting butts of the sinkers extend and within which the butts are functionally guided in a radial direction relative to the rotational axis.

Preferably, the sinker ring is connected to the cylinder by a unidirectional coupling so that rotation of the cylinder in one direction will rotate the sinker ring carrying the sinkers in the same rotary direction. Fixed cam rings are located beneath the sinker ring and have cam edges engaging the butts which extend through the opening. Thus, on rotation of the sinker ring the sinkers may be moved transversely of the central axis into and out of cooperation with the needle.

Additionally, there is provided means for lifting selective butts to disengage them from the cam rings, so that selected sinkers may be eliminated from operation as desired.

Full and complete details of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and explained in the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows the lower and upper needle cylinders l and 2 respectively of an otherwise conventional double cylinder knitting machine. Each of the cylinders l and 2 are formed with a plurality of vertical grooves 3 in which needles (not shown),are received. The knitting machine is, of course, provided with one or more yarn feeding devices, means for rotating the cylinders, cams for operating the needles and other functional equipment by which knitting progresses. These mechansims are conventional and are quite commonly known, and

are, therefore, omitted from this description and from being shown in the drawings.

A sinker support ring 5 according to the present invention is located in the lower cylinder 1. The sinker ring 5 is fixedly mounted by a wedge or unidirectional coupling 4, so as to be conjointly rotatable with the cylinder l in one but not the reverse direction. The ring 5, (seen in detail in H6. 2) is formed of a pair of coaxially arranged annular members 6, and 7,. The inner member 6, is located within the outer member 7, and both are mutually connected by a plurality of radially directed ribs 8,. The ribs are flat, vertically upstanding and lie on their back edges on the upper axialedges of the annular members 6, and 7,. The upper axial edges of the sinker members 6, and 7, lie on a common plane 1r which also forms the connecting plane for the bottom edges of the ribs 8,. A vertical opening 10, is defined by the spaced ribs 8, and the radially inner edge 7a of the outer ring 7, and the radially outer edge 6a of the inner ring 6,. Theopenings 10, are, of course, perpendicular to the connecting plane 1r.

Analogously, the upper needle cylinder 2 is also provided with a sinker ring 5 mounted by a wedge or coupling 4 to the cylinder. The sinker ring also is formed of an inner ring 6 andan outer ring 7 mutually connected by radially ribs 8 forming a plurality of grooves and defining vertical openings as described above in a plane 1r connecting the axial edges of the annular members 6 and 7 The sinker ring 5 is of course, inverted with respect to the ring 5,. 1

The grooves 9, and 9 receive sinkers 11 and 12 respectively, which are each flat elongated members having butts llaand 12a respectively, extending perpendicularly from their backs. The butts 11a and 12a are adapted to enter into the openings 10, and 10 respectively, to extend into the space between the walls of annular members 6 and 7, or 6 and 7 Sinkers 11 are, in the illustrated embodiment, the primary sinkers while sinkers 12 are the auxiliary ones. The butts 11a and 12a may be of different height, as may one or more of the butts of either the primary or auxiliary set, so that differences in movement and control can be obtained.

sinkers 11 selectively causing them to disengage from contact with the cams 18 and 19.

in operation, both the upper and lower needle cylinders are rotated in the conventional manner. As they rotate they they cause the wedge couplings 4, and 4 to engage causing the sinker rings 5, and 5 respectively. to rotate about the central axis of the machine. Thus, the sinkers 11 and 12 are jointly carried in their radially directed positions to rotate about the central axis 0. The lower sinker ring 5, rotates in a horizontal plan transverse to the central axis in the manner of an annular disk between the flange 21a of the carrier sleeve 21 and the flange 22a of the stationary insert 22. While the sinkers 11 rest on their back edges in the grooves 9 on the axial edges of the members 6, and 7, they are retained by the flange 22a whichoverlies their upper edges. The stationary cams 18 and 19 do not rotate but sliding control of the sinkers 11 is effected by the interengagement of the edges of the butts 11a with the contoured functional cam surfaces of the cams 18 and 19 which selectively move the sinkers in the horizontal transverse plane parallel to the plane 1r radially in the groove 9, as the sinker ring 5, rotates. Similarly cams 23 do not rotate but they control the vertical movement of the sinkers 11 by selectively raising the butts 11a from engagement with the cams 18 and 19. By pre selecting the height of the butts 1 1a and the various locations of earns 23 as well as the operation of the earns 23 by rod 24 and the drum cam, certain predetermined ones of the sinkers may be eliminated from operation. Thus, between the shape of cams l8 and 19 and the operation of cams 23 numerous knitting patterns may be obtained. Cams 23 are not permanently placed in The auxiliary sinkers 12 are guided by having their butts 12a engage the surfaces of inner and outer sta tionary annular cams 13 and 14 which are mutually in-- terconnected by a plurality of screws 15. The screws 15 bolt the cams 13 and 14 to a flange lfiaformed on the carrier sleeve 16. The carrier sleeve 16 is in turn located within the fixed insert 17 which insert has an interior surface forming the withdrawal tube of the upper cylinder 2 coaxially with the axis 0. The insert 17 terminates at its lower end in an outwardly directed flange 170.

Similarly, the primary sinkers 11 are controlled via butts 11a which are located between the functional edges of an inner stationary cam 18 and an outer stationary cam 19. Both cams l8 and 19 are secured by screws 20 to a flange 21a formed on the carrier sleeve 21 of the lower needle cylinder 1. The carrier sleeve 21 is secured to the stationary insert 22 which also has an outwardly directed flange 22a. The butts 11a are con trolled, further, by one or more axially movable cams 23 arranged about the space between the inner and outer sinker ring members 6, and 7, below the ribs 8,.

The earns 23 are provided with a pin 23a axially connected with a rod 24 extending downwardly into contact with a control drum cam d, compression spring 25 held by a washer 26 surrounds the pin 23a, which passes through an opening in the flange 21a of the carrier sleeve 21. Axial movement of rod 24 via the drum d pushes the pin 23a upwardly against the spring 25 which causes the cams 23 to raise the butt 11a of the operation since the spring 25 normally biases the cam out of operation and are controlled solely by the drum activator.

Similarly, the sinker ring 5 rotates in disk-like fashion betwen the front of the flange 17a of the insert 17 and the front portions of its control cams 13 and 14, also parallel to the plane 1r. The frontal portion of flange 17a secures the auxiliary sinkers 12 within groove 9 similarly as sinkers 11 are secured. The cams 13 and 14 do not rotate but the engagement of their contoured surfaces on the butts 12a cause the sinkers 12 to slide in the grooves 9 in a radial direction transverse to the axis of rotation. While no axial movable cams such as cams 23 are shown in connection with the upper cylinder it will be appreciated that the same may be furnished so that various combinations of movement can be obtained as with the lower cylinder.

It is to be noted that the sinker rings 5, and 5 are located between the inner and outer walls of the cylinder leaving the withdrawal tube free. However, the sinkers are arranged to both lie and move horizontally in a direction perpendicularto the axis of rotation. The complex means for arcuately moving the sinkers is avoided. The stationary sinker cams are also arranged as horizontally disposed rings located within the walls rather than vertically on the wall of the cylinder aspreviously known. The sinker rings are also unidirectionally coupled to the cylinder so as not to be operable when the cylinder is reversed.

The shape of the ribs is not critical. They function to retain the sinkers in the vertical position, permitting them to slide freely. The grooves 9 have smooth sides and bottoms.

The present invention has many adantages. For example, the arrangement for supporting the sinkers is located all within the needle cylinders, thus, eliminating a possible interference with the operation of the needles, or needle jacks etc. Also, the movement of the sinkers is linear and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cylinder. Therefore, fixed cams such as 13 and 14 and 18 and 19 can be used. This arrangement also permits the use of selectively operable cams, such as cams 23, which can be acuated vertically or parallel to the axis of rotation. The present invention may be employed in one or double cylinder knitting machines, with single or multiple feeds. When multiple feeds are a part of the equipment operation with only one yarn (as for example when making heel portions of stockings) is made easy since the reverse motion of the cylinder will not cause movement of the sinker rings. Because the wedge 4 is uni-directional the useless motion of the sinkers is avoided and the possibility of unwanted interference with the knit work obviated.

The mounting of the auxiliary sinkers 11 has the advantage of permitting the formation of plush or pile loops in an easy manner. By employing the selective cams 23 only certain ones of the sinkers 11 can be activated thus, causing selective formation of loops on only certain needles. This situation permits the manufacture, also, of hosiery with a high quality hem-stitch, since the sinkers may be used to catch the knit work rather than the normal spring elements.

A further advantage is obtained by means of which the sinkers 11 and 12 can be controlled in such a manner that a correct ladder stop course terminating the knit work can be obtained. This requires only the correct engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary sinkers 12 with the needles.

Various modifications and changes may be made. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be taken as illustrative only and not limiting of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a circular knitting machine, comprising a supporting sleeve, a cylinder mounted about said sleeve for rotation about a central axis and a plurality of needles mounted thereon, an arrangement for mounting sinkers comprising a tubular supporting ring extending within said rotating cylinder of said machine, said ring being radially spaced from said rotating cylinder and having a planar surface at one of its axial ends, means for slidably retaining a plurality of sinkers on said planar surface in radially spaced relationship, means for rotating said ring about its central axis, and means located in the space between said ring and said sleeve for causing said sinkers to move on said surface transversely to the central axis on rotation of said ring to selectively cooperate with said needles. 7

2. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said knitting machine includes a pair of cylinders, each of said cylinders having sinkers mounted therein.

3. An arrangement for mounting sinkers of a circular knitting machine having a cylinder rotating about a central axis and a plurality of needles mounted thereon for movement parallel to the centralaxis, comprising a tubular supporting ring located within said rotating cylinder of said machine, and a plurality of sinkers 'retained on said tubular supporting ring, each of said sinkers comprising a substantially elongated body having a butt extending perpendicularly outwardly therefrom said tubular supporting ring being formed of a pair of spaced annular members having a planar surface at one of their axial ends transverse to the central axis, said members being co-axially arranged one within the other and connected by a plurality of radially directed ribs uniformly spaced about said ring, the spaces between adjacent ribs being each adapted to receive a sinker therein for slidable movement on said planar surface, means for rotating said ring about the central axis, the butt of said sinker extending within the space defined by the inner edge of the outer annular member and the outer edge of the inner annular member, and means engaging said butts for causing said sinkers to move transversely on the rotation of said ring to selectively cooperate with said needles.

4. An arrangement according to claim 3 wherein an axial edge of each of the sinker ring members lies on a common plane forming the plane for the connecting ribs.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4 including stationary annular contoured cams located within the space between the sinker ring members adapted to cooperatively engage the sinker butts.

6. An arrangement according to claim 5 including at least one axially movable cam located within the space between said sinker ring members, and means for actuating said cam to cause selective engagement with the end of selected butts to cause said selected butts to disengage from cooperation with said fixed cams.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6 wherein the means for actuating said axially moveable cam comprises a drum having a contoured face, a rod interposed between said drum-and said cam and spring means for resiliently biasing said cam normally toward said rod,

said rod extending parallel to the axis of said cylinder. 

1. In a circular knitting machine, comprising a supporting sleeve, a cylinder mounted about said sleeve for rotation about a central axis and a plurality of needles mounted thereon, an arrangement for mounting sinkers comprising a tubular supporting ring extending within said rotating cylinder of said machine, said ring being radially spaced from said rotating cylinder and having a planar surface at one of its axial ends, means for slidably retaining a plurality of sinkers on said planar surface in radially spaced relationship, means for rotating said ring about its central axis, and means located in the space between said ring and said sleeve for causing said sinkers to move on said surface transversely to the central axis on rotation of said ring to selectively cooperate with said needles.
 2. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said knitting machine includes a pair of cylinders, each of said cylinders having sinkers mounted therein.
 3. An arrangement for mounting sinkers of a circular knitting machine having a cylinder rotating about a central axis and a plurality of needles mounted thereon for movement parallel to the central axis, comprising a tubular supporting ring located within said rotating cylinder of said machine, and a plurality of sinkers retained on said tubular supporting ring, each of said sinkers comprising a substantially elongated body having a butt extending perpendicularly outwardly therefrom said tubular supporting ring being formed of a pair of spaced annular members having a planar surface at one of their axial ends transverse to the central axis, said members being co-axially arranged one within the other and connected by a plurality of radially directed ribs uniformly spaced about said ring, the spaces between adjacent ribs being each adapted to receive a sinker therein for slidable movement on said planar surface, means for rotating said ring about the central axis, the butt of said sinker extending within the space defined by the inner edge of the outer annular member and the outer edge of the inner annular member, and means engaging said butts for causing said sinkers to move transversely on the rotation of said ring to selectively cooperate with said needles.
 4. An arrangement according to claim 3 wherein an axial edge of each of the sinker ring members lies on a common plane forming the plane for the connecting ribs.
 5. An arrangement according to claim 4 including stationary annular contoured cams located within the space between the sinker ring members adapted to cooperatively engage the sinker butts.
 6. An arrangement according to claim 5 including at least one axially movable cam located within the space between said sinker ring members, and means for actuating said cam to cause selective engagement with the end of selected butts to cause said selected butts to disengage from cooperation with said fixed cams.
 7. An arrangement according to claim 6 wherein the means for actuating said axially moveable cam comprises a drum having a contoured face, a rod interposed between said drum and said cam and spring means for resiliently biasing said cam normally toward said rod, said rod extending parallel to the axis of said cylinder. 